pronucleus

American  

[proh-noo-klee-uhs, -nyoo-] / proʊˈnu kli əs, -ˈnyu- /

noun

Cell Biology.

plural

pronuclei

1. either of the gametic nuclei that unite in fertilization to form the nucleus of the zygote.

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pronucleus British  

/ ˌprəʊˈnjuːklɪəs /

noun

1. the nucleus of a mature ovum or spermatozoan before fertilization

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Etymology

Origin of pronucleus

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at pro- ¹, nucleus

Example Sentences

The egg is then exposed to a chemical that causes the remaining pronucleus to replicate, thus giving the cell a full complement of genes.

From Time Magazine Archive

Only the female pronucleus is shown in this figure.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

S, spermatozoön; m. pr., male pronucleus; f. pr., female pronucleus.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

As this is in all probability derived entirely from the nucleus of the spermatozoon, we should be almost justified in calling the nucleus of the spermatozoon the male pronucleus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

Now the centrosome, which is beside the male pronucleus, shows signs of activity.

From The Story of the Living Machine A Review of the Conclusions of Modern Biology in Regard to the Mechanism Which Controls the Phenomena of Living Activity by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)